I love playing with different stitches in knitting, and the Linen Stitch is one of my favorites. The linen stitch is a lovely slipped stitch knitting pattern which makes a dense and finely detailed stitch. The fabric looks almost woven. It is solid and beautiful to look at. The linen stitch is great for warmth or a stiffer fabric. Try adding new stitch knitting patterns to basics you love, like a hat or scarf, to give an old favorite brand new life. Or, If you’re looking for some simple, free linen stitch patterns, I’ve included links to some of my favorites at the end of this post.
Once you start trying different stitch patterns, you’ll be addicted. My suggestion when trying any new stitch is to make a full swatch (6 x 6 inches) so you can really get a feel for the pattern, how it will hang, and understand its true gauge. If applying to an favorite knitting pattern, you may need to adjust the pattern accordingly. I’ve written out this stitch patterns in both the traditional way and with step-by-step photos to illustrate that pesky knitting terminology that everyone is magically supposed to know. It’s so easy to follow these instructions, so don’t be scared. Dive in and try something new!
In the linen stitch, you slip every other stitch and knit (or purl) every other stitch. At the same time, you carry the yarn in front of the slipped knit stitch on the right side of the work or behind the slipped purl stitch on the wrong side of the work.
Above is the wrong side of the pattern. I think it still looks beautiful.
Linen Stitch Pattern
Note: Though you can work this pattern over an even number of stitches, I like to add an extra stitch, though, to make the sides have an even look to them. It is a two row repeat.
When slipping stitches, slip purl-wise (with the needle in front of the slip stitch, not behind).
Cast on an odd number of stitches,
Row 1: slip 1 (purlwise) *knit 1, bring yarn to front, slip 1 (purlwise), bring yarn to the back; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *purl 1, move yarn to the back, slip 1 (purlwise), bring yarn to the front; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.
Repeat these two rows to form the pattern.
Below, I have included step-by-step photos with descriptive instructions so you can see exactly how the stitch works. These are not meant to replace the instructions above but to clarify specific aspects of it.
This is how the fabric will look from the right side. You can see the slipped stitch coming from the prior row. On this side of the work, these are the stitches you will be knitting.
Knit one stitch.
Bring the yarn to the front of the work.
Slip the next stitch purl wise (bring the right hand needle to the front of the left hand needle, instead of behind).
Bring the yarn to the back of the work.
Knit the next stitch. Repeat this series of steps until the end. Turn the work.
On the wrong side, you complete a similar set of stitches except you are purling the stitch that had been slipped on the opposite side and you carry the yarn on the back of the work. Purl 1 stitch.
Bring the working yarn to the back of the work and slip the next stitch.
Bring the yarn back to the front of the work and purl the next stitch. Repeat until the end.
That’s it! I hope you find lots of new and lovely uses for your newly acquired stitch pattern! Are you looking for a gorgeous project to try your new stitch with? Try this stunning colorblock wrap or this simple linen stitch scarf.
This post was created for MarthaStewart.com by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine as a Contributor. It was published there on September 30, 2015. Have fun exploring my profile and work there.
SRJ says
I learn new stitches by making cotton dish cloths. I have some spring green cotton that is going to look great in this stitch.
flaxandtwine says
That will be perfect!! Enjoy!
Crystal says
This is one of my favorites too! I do find my tension is always a little tight, so I try to use a little bigger needle. Thanks for the tutorial!
Classydameknits.com
flaxandtwine says
Thanks so much for the tip Crystal – great idea to avoid that annoying tightness that happens. Thanks!
Claire R says
I love the pictures! So many rimes I am left in the dark about whether to slip the stitch knitwise or purlwise. You make it so clear and I will be using these great instructions in my next dishcloth for starters. Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Thanks so much Claire, I’m glad this was helpful for you!
Karenmarie says
Love this, but I do have a question…
You state that this instruction is for an even number of stitches, but it starts with one knit stitch and then goes to a two-stitch repeat. Wouldn’t this require an odd number of stitches?
Thank you.
flaxandtwine says
HI Karen, Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Yes, the pattern is worked over two stitches, but you do start with one to get the pattern rolling, so in that sense it is worked over 2 + 1. So yes! start with an odd number.
Mae says
Hello and thank you so much for these wonderful instructions! Please could you explain how to adapt the linen stitch for working in the round? Thank you in anticipation!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Mae,
When you work the linen stitch in the round, the right side of the fabric is always facing you. Here is the pattern adjustment over an even number of stitches. Just alternate these two following rounds:
Round 1: *K 1, slip 1 with yarn in front; Repeat from * around.
Round 2: *Slip 1 with yarn in front, K 1; Repeat from * around.
Anne says
Thank you , very helpful
Kim says
Can you help me figure out how to knit a selvedged edge with this stitch? I’m struggling to figure out my slips and yf/yb with the added stitch (or two!?!)
Thanks!
flaxandtwine says
Hi Kim,
Sorry for my delay. Did you get it figured out?
Anne
Shelley says
If I want to knit a scarf in linen stitch, I notice that most patterns have you knit length-wise. Would it look or drape differently if I knit width-wise? The pattern I am thinking of ends with a scarf that is 84 inches long by 7.25 inches wide. I want to use as much of my yarn as I can and feel I could guesstimate better if I was knitting and binding off a width. My yarn is 60% superfine alpaca and 40% merino wool if that makes a difference ( an Estelle yarn)
flaxandtwine says
Hi Shelley,
I think that would be very interesting. Make a little mini swatch that is longer and see what you think.
Amy Coppola says
Thank you for your simple and straightforward instructions. I can clearly identify the 2 stitch sets when I’m on the knitting side (right) and know to knit the first one and slip the 2nd. But when I’m on the purling side (wrong) I have a harder time delineating which is which. Is it still purl the first one and slip the 2nd?
flaxandtwine says
Hi Amy, if you look carefully you can see which stitch hangs to the row below – i.e. it’s legs will be longer. The Purl the first one and slip the 2nd will depend on how m any stitches you have on your needle!
R says
I gave up on a previous project that was in linen stitch but after finding these instructions I’m going to try again. The way you describe which stitch to knit/park/slip by checking the row below is really going to make all the difference for me-thank you!
flaxandtwine says
I’m so glad! It can be a tricky stitch!